Photo: © Ian Boyle, 9th November 2009
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Queen Mary Departing London - 9th November 2009 Each image links to a larger copy which opens in a new window/tab |
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The Queen Mary was withdrawn from Clyde service in
1977, and has subsequently been moored on the Thames as a bar/restaurant
ship. She was moved from her moorings in 2009, having been sold for use as a
boutique hotel in La Rochelle on the French Atlantic coast. Her location on
the Thames is to be used for an enlarged pier and entrance for the Savoy
Hotel currently under restoration.
Leading tug was Aircirtron, with Horton and Unico at the stern. Queen Mary left her berth at around 09:30 and passed in reverse under Waterloo Bridge to wait in the vicinity of HMS President by Blackfriars Bridge for the tide to turn. Low tide was expected at 12:30, but was over an hour late. Queen Mary was swung around. to face downstream at 13:30, before passing under Blackfriars Bridge. She proceeded slowly down the Thames, reaching Tower Bridge for the scheduled opening at 14:15. I kept pace with her as best as possible along the south Thames path, delayed by the path closure at Blackfriars necessitating a lengthy detour inland. Having watched Queen Mary pass through Tower bridge, I returned to London Bridge City Pier to catch the first available Thames Clipper to chase her down the river. The tow accelerated rapidly after passing through Tower Bridge, and the Clipper did not overtake Queen Mary until we almost reached Greenwich. I had intended to leave the Clipper at whichever pier we reached first, in the hope of catching the next Clipper and overtaking Queen Mary again. This was not possible and I remained on board until the QE2 Pier at the O2. There was a glorious final period of sunshine whilst I waited, inevitably disappearing the minute Queen Mary appeared in sight. She left camera range in the evening gloom at 15:20. Queen Mary was taken into the dock system at Tilbury. It is thought that she will be placed on a pontoon before towed on to La Rochelle. |
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Sections on this page
2009 Photo Diary Pages
Photo Diary - Header Page Main Line Steam - 28th November 2009 - 3 Pacifics in London York Boats & NRM - 19th November 2009 Queen Mary leaving Thames - 9th November 2009 - Clyde Turbine leaves London Queen Victoria Cruise - August 2009 - Cunard Line Dover - 12th June 2009 - All ferries in service this day Gravesend - 8th/9th March 2009 - Maersk and Hamburg Sud freighters Felixstowe - 6th March 2009 - shipping passing Felixstowe Faversham - 26th & 28th February 2009 - shipping in Faversham Nice - 17th-20th February 2009 - trams, narrow gauge railways and ferries Gravesend - 11th February 2009 - Norcape (P&O) and freighters |
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References
Trip Out Guides - Written
and published by G.P.Hamer - editions from 1977 to 2009
Trip Out Guides are available from Geoffrey Hamer, PO Box 485, Southall, UB1 9BH |
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